The course objectives are the questions that prompted me to apply to the MET program. The answers are a reflection of how the MET program has helped me to shape my role as a learning technologist within the LTI department at TRU. My MET journey has given me: the skills needed to plan and facilitate our workshops; build persistent resources; understand why we share the work of other institutions rather building everything from scratch; use good teaching practice in all the technologies we produce; and use primarily open source resources.
What are some philosophical underpinnings, for example, why do we run workshops rather than classes, pedagogy?
Hands on workshops provide a safe space to learn a new skill with a familiar technology and/or to learn a new skill with a new technology. We provide you with a sandbox so you can play carefree and feel like a kid in a playground again. Playing at work triggers creativity and innovation. Playing with others at work encourages teamwork. We encourage you to bring your own devices so you are able to create and learn in a space that is familiar to you. This frees up brain power and makes room for fun. We have found when people are working hands on together ideas are born as creative thinking emerges when we are free to think in the moment.
Our hands on workshops provide online spaces that simulate your current e-learning environment. Simulated environments serve as a bridge between learning tech and implementing tech. You are able to practice actions and responses before going live with students. We are able to duplicate your current online environment which creates a familiar space for you who play and where it is safe to be creative and make mistakes and be messy.
We are here to help you choose the right tech for your project and to help ensure that your digital assets reaches its full educational potential. The practical considerations behind educational technologies are hard to find written down, it is our goal to share this knowledge in a way that encourages success. We believe creating online learning objects alongside us and your peers will help you to establish the confidence needed to be creative and create digital artifacts on your own.
Why do we build persistent resources that can be openly shared?
We believe in Open Pedagogy. Open Pedagogy can include creating, adapting or updating Open Educational Resources (OER). We recognize the power of the internet and how it has widely opened doorways to information, knowledge and educational resources.
Did you know that TRU also shares resources with the BC Open EdTech Collaborative (OpenETC)? OpenETC is a community of educators, technologists, designers, and enthusiasts working together to improve the open education infrastructure for post-secondary institutions in British Columbia. Our very own Brain Lamb is one of the original creators of this wonderful resource. OpenETC provides easy access to WordPress, Sandstorm, Mattermost and SPLOT. Sharing resources for these applications provides staff and students easy access to the digital technologies so they can learn how digital technologies work and think about how they can be used to transform their learning. If students have their own digital space they can collaborate with others to create new information that can be shared widely.
Why do we share the work of other institutions rather building everything from scratch?
We are able to offer so much more when we share. When we are passionate about projects and when we consider how others will use and implement them in their institutions we are building assets for longevity. Digital assets are costly to produce and to procure.
Those who grew up in educational technology before the computer remember that the early struggle to achieve adoptions of new technologies was ideological as well as economic. Today, that struggle is much less a matter of convincing stubborn minds and more one of obtaining funds. (Orey & Branch, 2017, p. 135)
Why do we fuse good teaching practice in all the technologies we produce?
We love technology and we wholeheartedly enjoy using it to transform teaching and learning. We recognize that using technology to create digital artifacts takes time and resources therefore we aim to create and share persistent and reusable artifacts. Modeling good practice re: persistent resources demonstrates the possibilities of open pedagogy, creates authentic learning environments, and is sustainable.
Why do we use primarily open source resources?
A key component of our work is prioritizing access and equity in post-secondary education, and open resources are a key component in keeping costs down for students. This isn’t just about things like open textbooks – though we support them! – but also about ensuring that students aren’t paying extra for services like homework systems or classroom engagement tools. We support faculty finding open-source alternatives to these tools that protect student data and are free for use.
We also believe strongly in open pedagogy, which means we share the resources we develop and encourage the faculty we work with to do the same. Building a robust, open ecosystem helps to keep the costs of education down for everyone, and helps us all find access to the best resources to support our work.